Spring fastener for connecting automotive components and other articles

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains fasteners which are characterized by easy insertion and extraordinarily difficult separation of items that they attach together. This is achieved by a combination of snapping segments with an elastic body disposed at least under the head of the fastener. The snapping segments may comprise anti-opening and/or anti-sliding portions, which immensely increase the strength with which the fasteners hold the objects together. The elastic body in the vicinity of the bottom section of the fasteners also provides water and gas proof properties, as well as elimination of squeaking noises. Vehicles comprising objects connected together by the fastening devices described and claimed herein are part of the instant invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of provisional patentapplication No. 60/323,240, filed on Sep. 19, 2001, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention pertains fasteners, and more particularlyfasteners which attach one object to another object, with specialemphasis to objects in the Automotive Industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the original conventional technology of fasteners employed tosecurely attach one object to another, such as for example one part toanother in the case of an automobile or an appliance, has utilized a nuton one of the two objects, usually welded or glued to the back of saidobject, and a bolt passing through a hole on the second object in amanner to be engaged by the nut, thereby securing the two objectstogether.

[0004] This arrangement presents many problems, among which, one of themost important is that in the case that one object is hollow, the nuthas to be in place at the back of the hollow object before assemblingthe two objects together. If for any reason the nut is misplaced, and/orif it becomes desirable to introduce a new fastening connection betweenthe two objects, the task of achieving such connection becomes verydifficult if not impossible for all practical purposes.

[0005] The so-called “quick nuts” have also been used to connect twoobjects. In addition, vibration during the operation of a device, suchas an automobile or appliance for example, containing the two objectsresults very often in loosening of the bolt or “quick nut” and in eitherfull disassembling of the objects from each other, or in a vibrationnoise which is most annoying and often of unacceptable levels.

[0006] Fasteners of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,238(Vassiliou) have been utilized to reduce considerably the potential ofbolt or screw loosening and vibration. They have also eliminated theproblem of having to place one member of the fastener at the backportion of the hollow object. These fasteners are placed through a slotfrom the front part of the hollow object. An expanding member, beingusually a bolt or a screw, supports the second object by forcing thelegs of the fastener (as described for example in U.S. Pat. No.4,500,238) to open or expand, thereby securing the two objects together.The legs of the fasteners are supported by a double-layered head havingan upper side and a lower side joined by side bents. The fasteners ofthis type have greatly improved the prevailing torque, as well as thepulling force of the system. Prevailing torque is the torque required torender a screw loose. Pulling force is the pulling force applied on thescrew to the point of failure, which usually occurs at the bents.

[0007] Other references representing the state of the art at this pointare disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,179,366 B1, 6,095,734, 5,919,019,5,873,690, 5,759,004, 5,725,343, 5,636,891, 5,632,584, 5,336,125,5,314,280, 5,249,900, 5,129,768, 4,610,588, 4,595,325, 4,495,380,3,505,922, 3,486,158, 3,426,817, 2,707,013, 2,430,555, 2,376,167 and2,181,966.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This invention pertains fasteners, and more particularlyfasteners which attach one object to another object, with specialemphasis to objects in the Automotive Industry. More particularly, thisinvention pertains a spring fastener comprising:

[0009] a head portion having an upper side, and a lower side, the upperside having an engageable hole on which a securing member can engage andpass through;

[0010] an elastic body disposed at least under the lower side of thehead portion; and

[0011] a body portion extending from the lower side of the head portionat a substantially right angle with respect to the head portion, thebody portion comprising

[0012] a front body portion and a back body portion, the front bodyportion and the back body portion being at least partially in proximitywith each other;

[0013] a front opening on the front body portion and a back opening onthe back body portion, each of the openings having a respective openingbottom a respective opening top, a first opening side and a secondopening side;

[0014] a side body portion on each opening side;

[0015] a front snapping segment connected to the front body portion inthe vicinity of the opening bottom, and having a front free engagementend; and

[0016] a back snapping segment connected to the back portion in thevicinity of the opening bottom, and having a back free engagement end.

[0017] The presence of the elastic body at least under the lower side ofthe head of the fastener is of extreme importance, since, unexpectedly,in addition to its excellent sealing properties allows the snappingsegments to freely pass through the slot of an object, and then tosnuggly contact the lower surface of said object, a necessaryrequirement to prevent unacceptable rattling.

[0018] The lower side of the head may have a secondary engagementsection, and at least one of the side body portions may have a tertiaryengagement section.

[0019] At least one of the free engagement ends may comprise a sectionselected from anti-sliding section, anti-opening section, and acombination thereof.

[0020] At least one snapping segment may be disposed at least partiallyalong the respective side body portion and/or the respective opening.

[0021] Vehicles comprising the spring fasteners of this invention,connecting two parts, one of the parts comprising a slot in which thefastener is secured by the snapping segment, are also included withinthe scope of the instant invention. Thus, automobiles or other vehiclesmay be made, comprising one or more of the fasteners of the instantinvention, providing substantial improvements regarding safety,performance and comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0022] The reader's understanding of this invention will be enhanced byreference to the following detailed description taken in combinationwith the drawing figures, wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a spring fastener in theabsence of the elastic body according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmental perspective view of the back bodyportion and part of the lower side of the head portion of the fastenerof FIG. 1 in the absence of the elastic body.

[0025]FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the side body portionscomprising threading teeth according to another preferred embodiment ofthe instant invention.

[0026]FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a spring fastener of theinstant invention, illustrating the elastic body in the region of thehead portion.

[0027]FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the fasteners of the instantinvention.

[0028]FIG. 6 illustrates a spring fastener according to anotherembodiment of the present invention in the absence of the elastic body.

[0029]FIG. 7 illustrates a spring fastener according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention in the absence of the elastic body.

[0030]FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section of a straight snapping segmentconfiguration according to another embodiment of the instant invention.

[0031]FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of a snapping segmentconfiguration involving an anti-opening front engagement end accordingto another embodiment of the instant invention.

[0032]FIG. 10 illustrates a cross section of a snapping segmentconfiguration involving an anti-sliding front engagement end accordingto another embodiment of the instant invention.

[0033]FIG. 11 illustrates a cross section of a snapping segmentconfiguration involving an anti-sliding front engagement end accordingto still another embodiment of the instant invention.

[0034]FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a snapping segmentconfiguration involving an anti-sliding front engagement end accordingto still another embodiment of the instant invention.

[0035]FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a snapping segmentconfiguration involving an anti-sliding front engagement end accordingto still another embodiment of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] As aforementioned, this invention pertains fasteners, and moreparticularly fasteners which attach one object to another object, withspecial emphasis to objects in the Automotive Industry.

[0037] As also mentioned earlier, there is a need to have one or morefasteners attached to a large first object, such as a headliner orroof-rack of a car for example, and then attach this large first objectto second object, such as the inside or outside of the roof of a car,respectively, for example, by inserting at least part of the fastenerinto the second object, through a slot for example. An additionalrequirement many times is to use a rather light force for the insertion,but to require an extraordinarily high force to separate the twoobjects, if the fastener is not first removed, by unthreading forexample a bolt or a screw which attaches the fastener to the firstobject. A further requirement in many occasions is that afterunthreading the bolt or screw, the fastener remains attached to thesecond object. In other occasions, however, it is required that the twoobjects are separated by pulling one object away from the other object,without performing other action, such as unthreading a screw or a bolt.Another requirement in a plurality of application is that the fastenerhas to be attached to a specified position on the first object, and notallowed to turn. The configuration should be such that the screw or boltcould hold additional object(s), such as a car handle for example.

[0038] This invention provides fasteners which have the configurationsrequired to satisfy the above need.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted, in a perspectiveview, a spring fastener 10 according to a preferred embodiment of theinstant invention. The fastener 10 comprises a head portion 12 having anupper side 14, and a lower side 16. The upper side has an engageablehole 18 on which a securing member 20 (shown in FIG. 5) can engage andpass through.

[0040] An elastic body 44 (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5), necessary forthis invention has been omitted from the rest of the Figures for claritypurposes.

[0041] The elastic body 44 of this invention, better shown in FIG. 4, isdisposed at least under the lower side 16 of the head portion 12. Suchelastic bodies are preferably integrally molded at least at the lowerside of the head portion 12, and preferably around the whole head 12.These elastic bodies are for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,725,343, and 6,379,092, both of which are incorporated herein byreference.

[0042] In FIG. 2, there is depicted a fragmental view of a back lowerbody 22 b as well as portion of the lower head side 16 of the fastener10, as explained hereinbelow.

[0043] The spring fastener 10 comprises a body portion 22, which extendsfrom the lower side 16 of the head portion 12 at a substantially rightangle with respect to the head portion 12.

[0044] The body portion 22 has a front body portion 22 a (better shownin FIG. 1) and the back body portion 22 b (better shown inn FIG. 2). Thefront body portion 22 a and the back body portion 22 b are at leastpartially in proximity with each other.

[0045] For purposes of clarity, in the following discussion and in theFigures, numerals followed by the letter “a” refer to the front bodyportion 22 a of the body portion 22, and numerals followed by the letter“b” refer to the back body portion 22 b of the body portion 22. The twoelements corresponding to the body portion 22 are referred tocollectively as the respective numeral without the letter.

[0046] The front body portion 22 a has a front opening 24 a, and theback body portion 22 b has back opening 24 b. Each of the openings 24 aand 24 b has a respective opening bottom 26 a and 26 b, and a respectiveopening top 28 a and 28 b. Each of the openings 24 a and 24 b also has arespective first opening side 30 a and 30 b and a respective secondopening side 32 a and 32 b.

[0047] The front body portion 22 a has side body portions 34 a, whilethe back body portion 22 b has side body portions 34 b.

[0048] The body portion 22 further comprises a front snapping segment 36a connected to the front body portion 22 a in the vicinity of theopening bottom 26 a, and having a front free engagement end 38 a. Thebody portion 22 also comprises a back snapping segment 36 b connected tothe back body portion 22 b in the vicinity of the opening bottom 26 b,and having a back free engagement end 38 b.

[0049] The spring fasteners of the present invention may have asecondary engagement section at the lower side 16 of the head portion12. The secondary engagement section 40 comprises two arcs, 40 a and 40b, which are capable to engage to the securing member 20 (FIG. 5), suchas a screw or bolt for example. This arrangement provides increasedpulling force, which is the force required to remove the securing member20 from the spring fastener by pulling them apart.

[0050] At least part of the side body portions 34 a and 34 b maycomprise threading teeth 42, which create a tertiary engagement section,as better shown in FIG. 3. The threading teeth 42 engage the securingmember 20 (FIG. 5), thus also providing increased pulling force. Thethreading teeth may be on the same plane as the respective side bodyportions 34 a and 34 b or bent to a certain degree in a manner to nestbetter the threads of the securing member 20. Further, the angles of thefront and the back sides of the teeth may be such as to favor easyinsertion and difficult removal of the fastener, in a similar manner asthe bent teeth 64 (FIG. 13, and applications incorporated by reference)discussed at a later point.

[0051] Complementary engagement mechanisms which may be used in thepresent invention, if so desired, are described in provisionalapplications 60/167,080 (filed Nov. 23, 1999), 60/169,447 (filed Dec. 7,1999), 60/170,611 (filed Dec. 14, 1999), and 60/179,834 (filed Feb. 2,2000), and non-provisional application Ser. No. 09/699,760 (filed Oct.30, 2000), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] The fastener 10 also has an insertion region 23 (23 a and 23 b),which may be covered by a soft material, such as a plastic for example,in order to avoid scratching the surface of a part, such as the secondobject 52 for example shown in FIG. 5.

[0053] The operation of the above embodiments is better illustrated inFIG. 5.

[0054] The fastener 10 is secured on a first object 46, such as aroof-rack or headliner for example, by passing a securing member, suchas a screw or bolt 20, for example, through hole 48 of the first object46, and threading said screw or bolt 20 on the engageable hole 18. Ifthe secondary and/or tertiary and/or other engagement sections arepresent, as for example described above, the securing member is engagedon these engagement sections, too.

[0055] The first object 46 has preferably a recessed region 50 under thehole 48, which serves to align and/or nest partially or totally the headportion 12 and/or the elastic body 44. A deeper recessed region 50allows the distance between the upper side 14 and the lower side 16 ofthe head portion to be large enough so that the curved regions joiningthe two sides are adequately gradual, thus providing considerably higherstructural strength.

[0056] One or more additional objects, such as a handle (not shown) forexample, may also be secured by the same securing member 20 by passingsaid securing member through a hole (not shown) belonging to theadditional object(s). More than one fasteners may be secured in asimilar manner on the first object 46. Such combinations may form anassembly, such as a roof-rack or headliner assembly for example.

[0057] It is important that the length of the securing member is longenough for any desired engagements, but have a shorter length than alength which would exceed the opening bottom 26, and thus cause anyappreciable opening of the body portions 22 a and 22 b.

[0058] The assembly, such as a roof-rack or headliner assembly forexample, which usually comprises more than one secured and alignedfasteners 10 in predetermined positions, is pushed by the operatoragainst a second object, such as for example metal sheet 52, which canbe in the form of a framework in the vicinity of the roof or ceiling ofthe outside or inside region of a vehicle for example, having properlyarranged slots 54 to accept body portion 22 of the fattener 10. Othermaterial may replace, however, the metal, and it should be understoodthroughout this disclosure that when referring to metal sheet, any othersuitable material may replace the metal, or any other object orcombination of objects may replace the sheet.

[0059] As the body portion 22 of the fastener 10 is being pushed throughthe slot 54, the snapping segments 36 a and 36 b are inwardly pusheduntil they reach a position at which the body portion is allowed to passthrough the slot 54, at which point the elastic body 44 has beencompressed to a desired degree. When the body portion 22 of the fastener10 has reached its final position, the snapping segments 36 a and 36 bsnap back. In sequence, the insertion force is released, allowing theelastic body 44 to expand to a desired degree, and thus, the fastener10, as well as the whole assembly, are secured onto the metal sheet 52.

[0060] The elastic body serves also as an excellent insulator for gasesand liquids, and as a noise damper.

[0061] A number of parameters determine the force needed to insert theassembly into the slot 54. These include but are not limited to thethickness, hardness and spring characteristics of the folded sheet metalfrom which the fastener is made, the shape and dimensions of thefastener, the length and width of the snapping segments, the angleformed by the left and right sections with the respective snappingsegments, the dimensions of the slot 62, the thickness and elasticity ofthe elastic body, etc. For each particular application, these parametersmay be determined experimentally, or by engineering calculations, or acombination thereof without undue effort.

[0062] The force to separate the assembly from the metal sheet 52 ismanifold higher than the insertion force, due to the criticalconfigurations of the instant invention, and it depends on the aboveparameters, but also on the characteristics of the screw or bolt 48, thecharacteristics of the engageable hole or sections or other engageableelements of the fastener, etc. The multiplicity of engageable featuresof the fastener of the present invention, are critical in considerablyincreasing the ratio of the separating force to the insertion force.

[0063] The utilization of more than one engageable sections is importantnot only for adequately strong attachment of the fastener 10 to thefirst object, directly or indirectly, in a manner to form an assembly,but also to combine very easy insertion of the fastener into the slot 54of the metal sheet 52 with extremely difficult separation of theassembly from the metal sheet after the easy insertion has taken place.The importance of adequately strong attachment, despite the easyinsertion, becomes even more important when a larger number of objects,and/or more demanding objects have to be supported by the fastener 10.This is especially so in the case that a given additional object (notshown for purposes of clarity), such as an air-bag system for example,has to be attached to the upper side 56 of the first object 46.

[0064] If service is needed, and partial or total removal of theassembly of elements from the metal sheet 52 is needed, the screw(s) orbolt(s) 20 are unthreaded, and the assembly is freed from the metalsheet 52, with the fastener, however, attached now to the metal sheet52. After the service, the elements may be attached in their initialposition by using the screw or bolt 20 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0065] In a different embodiment of the instant invention, better shownin FIG. 6, the snapping segments 36 a and 36 b are disposed along theside body portions 34 a and 34 b, respectively. The fastener 10, in thiscase also, may have secondary and tertiary engagement sections as wellas other additional engagement sections (not shown).

[0066] The operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as theoperation of the above embodiments, with the difference that thesnapping segments 36 a and 36 b are disposed along the side bodyportions 34 a and 34 b instead along the opening 24.

[0067] In still a different embodiment of the instant invention, bettershown in FIG. 7, the snapping segments 36 a and 36 b are disposed notonly along the side body portions 34 a and 34 b, but also along theopening 24 in a continuous manner.

[0068] The operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as theoperation of the above embodiments, with the difference that thesnapping segments 36 a and 36 b are disposed along the side bodyportions 34 a and 34 b, as well as along the opening 24 in a continuousmanner.

[0069] The snapping segments of this invention may have differentconfigurations, including but not limited to straight and curved.

[0070] One example is shown in FIG. 8, wherein the snapping segment 36has a substantially linear configuration with a free engagement end 38as being a linear extension of the snapping segment 36.

[0071] In order to provide anti-opening properties to the snappingsegment 36, an anti-opening configuration can be used, such as the oneshown in FIG. 9, for example. When the snapping segment tends to open,the prong 58, which resides within the slot 54 (FIG. 5) during theoperation, prevents such opening. This particular configuration ispreferable when the failure is due to the snapping segments 36 having atendency to open (move away from the slot on and parallel to the lowersurface 60 of the sheet metal 52) when a separation force is appliedbetween the first object 46 and the metal sheet 52 (see FIG. 5)Anti-sliding properties (preventing the snapping segments 36 fromsliding through the slot 54 when a separation force is applied betweenthe first object 46 and the metal sheet 52—see FIG. 5) may be provided,especially in the case that the free engagement end 38 forms an anglewith the rest of the engagement segment 36, as illustrated for examplein FIG. 11, for multi-position engagement on the slot 54. Perspectiveviews of examples of anti-sliding configurations are shown in FIG. 12(ripples 62 on the free engagement end 38) and in FIG. 13 (bent teeth 64on the free engagement end 38).

[0072] It is important to note that even in the case that the freeengagement end 38 is parallel to the side body portions 34 when itresides in the slot 54 (not completely passed through the slot in itsfinal position), it can hold the first object and the metal sheettogether in the case of presence of ripples 62 and/or bent teeth 38.

[0073] Further, the securing member 20 itself hinders the sliding of thesnapping segments out of the slot 54.

[0074] Other examples of anti-opening and anti-sliding configurations,and more details regarding their structure, as well as other types ofspring fasteners having snapping segments are disclosed innon-provisional application Ser. No. 09/969,563 (Publication No.2002/0054808; Publication date: May 9, 2002) and provisionalapplications 60/246,634 (filed Nov. 8, 2000), 60/249,996 (filed Nov. 20,2000), 60/267,281 (filed Feb. 8, 2001), 60/283,266 (filed Apr. 12,2001), 60/289,343 (filed May 7, 2001), 60/302,194 (filed Jun. 29, 2001),60/301,164 (filed Jun. 25, 2001), 60/308,921 (filed Jul. 31, 2001),60/310,343 (filed Aug. 6, 2001), and 60/312,867 (filed Aug. 16, 2001),all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0075] Vehicles comprising the spring fasteners of this invention,connecting two parts, one of the parts comprising a slot in which thefastener is secured by the snapping segment, are also included withinthe scope of the instant invention. Thus, automobiles or other vehiclesmay be made, comprising one or more of the fasteners of the instantinvention, providing substantial improvements regarding safety,performance and comfort.

[0076] Examples of embodiments demonstrating the operation of theinstant invention, have now been given for illustration purposes only,and should not be construed as restricting the scope or limits of thisinvention in any way.

[0077] Any feature(s) described in one of the exemplary embodiments maybe combined with any features incorporated in any other exemplaryembodiment according to this invention.

[0078] Any explanations given are speculative and should not restrictthe scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spring fastener comprising: a head portionhaving an upper side, and a lower side, the upper side having anengageable hole on which a securing member can engage and pass through;an elastic body disposed at least under the lower side of the headportion; and a body portion extending from the lower side of the headportion at a substantially right angle with respect to the head portion,the body portion comprising a front body portion and a back bodyportion, the front body portion and the back body portion being at leastpartially in proximity with each other; a front opening on the frontbody portion and a back opening on the back body portion, each of theopenings having a respective opening bottom a respective opening top, afirst opening side and a second opening side; a side body portion oneach opening side; a front snapping segment connected to the front bodyportion in the vicinity of the opening bottom, and having a front freeengagement end; and a back snapping segment connected to the backportion in the vicinity of the opening bottom, and having a back freeengagement end.
 2. A spring fastener as defined in claim 1, wherein thelower side of the head comprises a secondary engagement section.
 3. Aspring fastener as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the sidebody portions comprises a tertiary engagement section.
 4. A springfastener as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the freeengagement end comprises a section selected from anti-sliding section,anti-opening section, and a combination thereof.
 5. A spring fastener asdefined in claim 2, wherein the at least one of the free engagement endscomprises a section selected from anti-sliding section, anti-openingsection, and a combination thereof.
 6. A spring fastener as defined inclaim 3, wherein the at least one of the free engagement ends comprisesa section selected from anti-sliding section, anti-opening section, anda combination thereof.
 7. A spring fastener as defined in claim 1,wherein at least one snapping segment is disposed at least partiallyalong the respective side body portion.
 8. A spring fastener as definedin claim 2, wherein at least one snapping segment is disposed at leastpartially along the respective side body portion.
 9. A spring fasteneras defined in claim 3, wherein at least one snapping segment is disposedat least partially along the respective side body portion.
 10. A springfastener as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one snapping segment isdisposed at least partially along the respective opening.
 11. A springfastener as defined in claim 2, wherein at least one snapping segment isdisposed at least partially along the respective opening.
 12. A springfastener as defined in claim 3, wherein at least one snapping segment isdisposed at least partially along the respective opening.
 13. A vehiclecomprising a first object and a second object, the first object having ahole, and the second object having a slot, the first and second objectsconnected with a spring fastener, the spring fastener comprising: a headportion having an upper side, and a lower side, the upper side having anengageable hole on which a securing member can engage and pass through;an elastic body disposed at least under the lower side of the headportion; and a body portion extending from the lower side of the headportion at a substantially right angle with respect to the head portion,the body portion comprising a front body portion and a back bodyportion, the front body portion and the back body portion being at leastpartially in proximity with each other; a front opening on the frontbody portion and a back opening on the back body portion, each of theopenings having a respective opening bottom a respective opening top, afirst opening side and a second opening side; a side body portion oneach opening side; a front snapping segment connected to the front bodyportion in the vicinity of the opening bottom, and having a front freeengagement end; and a back snapping segment connected to the backportion in the vicinity of the opening bottom, and having a back freeengagement end.
 14. A vehicle as defined in claim 13, wherein the lowerside of the head has a secondary engagement section.
 15. A vehicle asdefined in claim 13, wherein at least one of the side body portions hasa tertiary engagement section.
 16. A vehicle as defined in claim 13,wherein the at least one of the free engagement ends comprises a sectionselected from anti-sliding section, anti-opening section, and acombination thereof.
 17. A vehicle as defined in claim 14, wherein theat least one of the free engagement ends comprises a section selectedfrom anti-sliding section, anti-opening section, and a combinationthereof.
 18. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least oneof the free engagement ends comprises a section selected fromanti-sliding section, anti-opening section, and a combination thereof.19. A vehicle as defined in claim 13, wherein at least one snappingsegment is disposed at least partially along the respective side bodyportion.
 20. A vehicle as defined in claim 14, wherein at least onesnapping segment is disposed at least partially along the respectiveside body portion.
 21. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein atleast one snapping segment is disposed at least partially along therespective side body portion.
 22. A vehicle as defined in claim 13,wherein at least one snapping segment is disposed at least partiallyalong the respective opening.
 23. A vehicle as defined in claim 14,wherein at least one snapping segment is disposed at least partiallyalong the respective opening.
 24. A vehicle as defined in claim 15,wherein at least one snapping segment is disposed at least partiallyalong the respective opening.